It's just sort of assumed that Kenneth Walker III is the No. 1 running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
But as the NFL season gets closer, and fantasy football players try to figure out who to draft, Zach Charbonnet is making things very interesting.
In the Seahawks' second preseason game, Charbonnet took five carries on the opening drive for 45 yards, capping it with a 15-yard TD.
Walker remains out injured, allowing Charbonnet the full spotlight.
"Walker has missed extensive chunks of time in the spring and summer after missing 11 games last year, and it's enough to wonder not only about his availability but how crisp he'll be in a new blocking scheme when he is on the field," writes ESPN's Brady Henderson. "The ever-reliable Charbonnet, meanwhile, hasn't missed a day, and his production has been validating all the glowing praise he gets from teammates and coaches. Between Charbonnet's strong offseason and Walker's availability issues, it may be more of an even split in Seattle's backfield than a typical starter-backup situation."
MORE: Andrew Luck explains his shock retirement in 5 words
For fantasy players reading this, it's simple: Charbonnet is going 20 RBs later than Walker. If you're bought in on the Seattle backfield, wait and take Charbonnet a handful of rounds later and let someone else deal with Walker and his injury woes.
For Seahawks fans, it's a good problem to have. Walker does have those injury worries, but Seattle has one of the best nominal backups in the league in Charbonnet.
If Walker goes down at any point this season, the Seahawks' offense shouldn't skip a beat at RB.
MORE: Rams' Jimmy Garoppolo decision tells us everything about Matthew Stafford's injury
And if both running backs stay healthy, Seattle will be in a position to throw fresh, talented legs at the defense at all times.
Charbonnet has simply made sure that he'll be right at the heart of the picture this season, one way or the other.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Shilo Sanders sets big goals for his rookie NFL season
- Bills still have a James Cook decision to make
- Caleb Williams did something vs. Bills that he never did as a rookie
- Efton Chism III is making his case for the Patriots roster
- Rashee Rice gets quite the suspension twist
- The Lions' moment to trade for Trey Hendrickson has arrived